Washington (CNN) - More than two months after the fatal shootings in Tucson, Arizona, President Obama staked out his position in the gun control debate.

In an op-ed in The Arizona Daily Star, Obama acknowledged the role of guns in American society, while warning of their dangers.
"Every single day, America is robbed of more futures. It has awful consequences for our society," Obama wrote, adding that "we have a strong tradition of gun ownership that's handed from generation to generation."

He outlined three "sound and effective" steps to keep "those irresponsible, law-breaking few from getting their hands on a gun in the first place," including enforcing laws already on the books, rewarding states that provide the best data and therefore do the most to protect their citizens and making the system for background checks "faster and nimbler."

Following the shootings in Tucson that left six dead and 13 others wounded, some members of Congress voiced support for tougher gun regulation legislation, but the political reality for Democrats particularly in Southern states meant the matter failed to gain traction.

Even though the president did not tackle the issue of gun control during his State of the Union address, White House officials said they would address the topic at some point.

In Sunday's piece, Obama said he understands discussions about gun control "can reinforce stark divides."

"However, I believe that if common sense prevails, we can get beyond wedge issues and stale political debates to find a sensible, intelligent way to make the United States of America a safer, stronger place," Obama wrote. "We owe the victims of the tragedy in Tucson and the countless unheralded tragedies each year nothing less than our best efforts - to seek consensus, to prevent future bloodshed, to forge a nation worthy of our children's futures."

In a joint statement Sunday, the bipartisan group Mayors Against Illegal Guns said they "strongly agree" with the president's proposals.

"We can – and must – respect the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding gun owners while still tackling this problem," the statement said. "And we look forward to working with him (President Obama) to ensure that the new national dialogue he has called for culminates in real solutions.”
- CNN Senior White House Correspondent Ed Henry contributed to this report

soundoff(39 Responses)

TOTUS FOR PRESIDENT

Poor reporting as usual by CNN. Affirmation by "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" of the Obama regime's plans to infringe upon the 2nd amendment, but no alternative perspective allowed by the majority which supports the 2nd amendment. Of course, CNN, as part of the state controlled media, is in the tank 100% to support the state regime's actions.

March 13, 2011 08:16 pm at 8:16 pm |

Brian

Now is a good time for everyone to stock up on weapons, this guy is getting ready to burn the constitution.

Can't wait for the pro gun-lobby to cry that Obama is taking away there guns!!!!!!!

March 13, 2011 08:26 pm at 8:26 pm |

MAC

The only gun laws we need in America are if you use a gun in a crime you get 20 years and if you fire that gun you get life. I want my guns to protect my family and property from the ones whose parents did not teach them right from wrong and who believe that what is mine is really theirs for the taking due to this liberal materialistic world that has been created by the anything goes including drugs mentality. My oldest son who works in the California State Prison System know that the prisoners that the liberals say are in for drug offenses also commited other crimes to by those drugs including selling to kids. America's Morals Are Gone!

March 13, 2011 08:29 pm at 8:29 pm |

DonJose

Problem: What about law-abiding citizens who are angry or insane and could snap – such as Jarred Loughner. And what about, say, angry souses who kill their spouses? This happens to be the cause of the majority of gun deaths.

March 13, 2011 08:34 pm at 8:34 pm |

CNN The Masters of Spin

Ok, Remember Obambi says one thing & does another......he is a Liar.....so beware, however he did let his Liberal cronies/base know he will make America "a safer place" & that means Gun Control! So get this; An un-chained Obambi post 2012 WILL mean Gun Control.

March 13, 2011 08:43 pm at 8:43 pm |

conan

this is horrible! take away our guns is like taking away our freedom of everything! if people are going to murder they will go through illegal means to do so! We are a Christian based country! the gun amendment was made because we had no military! it was "get your gun you're coming to war". that means that it is like taking away free speech religion etc. please think twice on this on

March 13, 2011 08:49 pm at 8:49 pm |

conan

oh and why don't you talk about other murders too! small ones in small towns! is a famous persons life more valuable than some teen who works at MC.donalds to pay for college!

March 13, 2011 08:52 pm at 8:52 pm |

Munroe-1

The shooter in Arizona should be made a lab study. Firstly, he was not a "gunman". He was a pretty typical kid of the younger generation. He did not work, he lived at home with his parents, he played video games and took drugs. It really angered me that our media would even consider him a "gunman". The only time he used a real gun was when he ended & injured all those beautiful people. His ideas were most obviously accertained from his video games, television, internet and friends -however few. The real issue he had came from everything, but, the gun. Take away his drugs, video games, television and internet -then I trully believe the gun would never had been an issue. Having none of the aforementioned; he most like would have been getting help and working a job. The gun to him, was an extension of of his hallucinations that his parents were too ashamed of, to get him help. The gun was an extension of his video games burned into his psychosis. The gun was an extension of his frustration with a world who viewed him as a freak -due to illeducated Americans and his own family who taught him to believe his sickness was something to hide or be ashamed of.

Every time a President takes more gun rights away from law abiding citizens; more illegal guns are sold to criminals and Mexico.

March 13, 2011 08:55 pm at 8:55 pm |

woodside, pa

kiss your guns goodbye people! he's not gonna stop until he has complete control of every aspect of our lives. i feel sorry for the folks who got shot, but, maybe they should have had some security?

March 13, 2011 08:56 pm at 8:56 pm |

Sonnie

Gun rights were afforded the citizens of America to protect us from Gov. gone amuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now we understand why our Fore Fathers Put this in the Constitution.
I can see why politicians are worried as they just can't do what We The People elected them to do.
Obama and Congress are more interested in protecting Their But and don't care about We the People"""
Term limits
Put them on social Security like the people they serve and are working for!!!
No pensions/ this is a public service and not a position for life